Conveyer



Dec. 17, 1935.

H. K. BURGESS ET AL CONVEYER Filed April 21, 1954 at g 4-2 12 23 .56 BY Z0 INVENTORJ Hafiy KBugeJJ |+9 Paul 1: Duber Patented Dec. 17, 1935 PATENT OFFICE CONVEYER Harry K. Burgess and Paul F. Duber,

Chicago, Ill.

Application April 21, 1934, Serial No. 721,710

7 Claims.

Our. invention relates to improvements in conveyers.

An object of our invention is to provide a conveyer having a single chain adapted for carrying articles in a given horizontal direction A further object of our invention is to pro-- vide a single conveyer chain which will carry articles in a straight line or around corners or both.

A further object of our invention is to provide a conveyer chain comprising links which are simple in construction and which-may be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled without the use of tools.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a conveyer and chain embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the lines 22 of Figure 1, cer tain portions being broken away;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a link which is representativeof the links comprising the chain;

'Figure 5 is a side elevation of the link shown in Figure 4; I 1

Figure 6 is an. end view of the link as viewed from the left in Figure 4;

Figure '7 is a bottom plan view of the link shown in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a. fragmentary transverse sectional view of the sprocket for driving the chain; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the sprocket taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 8.

In the embodiment. selected to illustrate our invention we provide a conveyer I0 comprising a plurality of standards [2 having spaced-apart shown in shafts which are carried by the side plates. The sprocket I6 is fixedly mounted on the shaft 20 which maybe connected to any suitable power means, not shown, for rotating the sprocket.

The pulley I8 is rotatable on its shaft and is not connected to any power means. A more detailed description of the sprocket will follow.

A pair of intermediate pulleys 22 and 24 are mounted on a vertical shaft 26 which is supported by bracket members 28 connected with 'the standards I2. The pulleys 22 and 24 are retained in spaced relationship with the bracket 10 members 28 by means of collars 30, which also retain the shaft 26 in position. 4 I

It will be noted that each of the pulleys 22 and 24 comprises a hub portion 32 and a flange portion 34,- and that the hub portion 32 of the pulley 24 has a circumferential recess 36 adjacent its flange portion 34.

The function of the pulleys 22 and 24 will be hereinafter set forth.

a As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a conveyer chain 38 is mounted on the pulleys I8, 22, and '24, and the sprocket H5. The chain comprises a series of connected links 46 which are identical in construction and, therefore; a description of one will suifice for all. Each link 40 comprises a plate or carrier portion 42 having substantially parallel side edges 44 and oppositely inclined end edges 46 which meet at an apex substantially at the axis of the plate portion.

An L-shaped flange portion is positioned transversely of the plate portion at an end thereof and comprises a downwardly extending flange portion 48 and a forwardly extending flange portion 50. The forwardly extending flange'portion is provided with an opening 52 therein.

A hook portion 54 extends downwardly from the opposite end of the plate portion and. is continuous with a shank portion. 55 which extends to and joins the downwardly extending 40 link through the opening 52 of the 'next succeeding link, until an endless chain of suflicient length has been provided.

The sprocket 16 on which the chain is mounted flange portions and the hook portions of the links therebetween, but the flange portions of the "sprocket are not spaced a suflicient distance apart to receive the plate portions of the links therebetween, the plate portions being adapted for engagement with the peripheries of the circumferential flange portions when the sprocket is rotated by the shaft 20..

As shown in Figures 2, 8 and 9, the sprocket I6 is provided with radially extending U-shaped projections or lugs 64 positioned between the circumferential flange portions and continuous therewith and with the hub portion 60.

The projections 64 of the sprocket engage the shoulders 58 of the links as shown in Figures 2 and 8 for driving the chain when the sprocket is rotated.

The pulley I8 is similar to the sprocket l6 except that the projections 64 are omitted, and the pulley l8 rotates freely- In Figure 1 the plan view of the conveyer structure is shown as being L-shaped for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the conveyer chain can go around a corner or an obstruction.

In making a turn the links first move onto the flange portions of the pulleys 22 and 24 depending on whether the links are in the top or bottom sections of the. chain. As the links continue their movements the L-shaped flange portions of the links move into engagement with the peripheries of the hub portions of the pulleys and remain in engagement therewith until the turn is completed.

On referring to Figure 3 it will be. noted that when the links in the bottom section of the chain are making the turn the plate portions 42 of the links move into the circumferential recess in the hub 32 of the pulley 24 and remain in the recess until the turn is completed thereby holding the links against displacement.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, oppositely disposed link supporting bars 68 extend between the pulleys I8, 22 and the sprocket I6, and have the top surfaces thereof in substantially the same plane as the top surface of the pulley It, the top edges of the flanges 62 of the sprocket, and the corresponding flangesof the pulley l8.

The L-shaped flanges and the hook portions of the links are receivable between the bars 66v and the plate portions of the links slide on the bars when the chain is in motion. Sufficient clearance is provided between the lI-shaped flange portion and the bars to enable the links to complete the turn.

On referring to Figure 3 it will be noted that when the links in the top section of the chain are making the turn, the inner edges of the plate portions ride on the top surface of the hub 32 of i the pulley- 22, and the outer edges of plate portions continue to ride-on the outer bar 66 which may be continuous between the pulley l8 and the sprocket I6.

Thus'it will be seen that the plate portions of the links willremain in the same plane while carrying an article, whether they are traveling in a straight line 'or. around corners.

By lifting .the links positioned between the pulley 22 and the outer supporting bar 66 from therebetween, any link or section of links may be quickly and easily detached from the remainder of the chain or reconnected therewith, without the use of tools, after which the chain may be returned to its first position.

Top and bottom panels 68 and 10,, respectively, are carried by the standards l2 and cooperate with the side plates I4 for enclosing. the bottom section of the chain.

The bars 66 are shown as being mounted on 10 pins 12 which in turn are carried by the top panel 68.

A guide rail 14 is also shown as being connected with the standards l2 for retaining articles carried by the conveyer chain against dis- 15 placement.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that the foregoing fully explains the invention so that the same may be readily adapted for use under various conditions. v

I claim:

1, A corweyer having-a continuous chain comprising a series of. links, each of said links comprising a carrier portion, a hook portion and an L-shaped flange portion connected with the carrier portion on acommon side thereof and positioned at opposite ends of the carrier portion, the flange portions of each of said links having an opening therein for receiving the hook portion of an adjacent link for connecting-thew links whereby the carrier portions may be movable laterally and transversely with respect to nected one-piece links, each link having a .car- 4 rier plate on top, a vertical-flange beneath said plate and extending transversely thereof, a forward apertured extension at. the lower edge of said flange lying in a horizontal plane, and a hook beneath said plate, having a fastening 5 shank integral with said carrier plate and extending from said flange to the rear edge of the plate, with its free shank curving downwardly and forwardly toward the flange to engage a corresponding apertured extension in the adjoining 55 link in the chain. g

3. In a conveyer chain, a plurality of connected one-piece links, each link having a carrier plate on top, a vertical flange beneath said plate and extending transversely thereof, a forward apertured extension at the lower edge of said flange lying ina horizontal plane, .and a hook beneath said plate curving downwardly and forwardly toward the flange and having a bearing surface to engage a bearing surface in a corresponding apertured extension in the adjoining link in the chain, at least one of the said bearing surfaces being arcuate in shape in .a horizontal plane to permit said hook. to pivot about a vertical axis in said extension. 7 4. In a, conveyer chain, a plurality of connected one-piece links, each link having a car! rier plate on top, a vertical flange beneath said piate and extending transversely thereof, a forard apertured extension at the lower edge of .each extension is pivotable about a horizontal axis within the associated hook, and each hook is pivotal about a vertical axis within the associated extension.

5. In a conveyer chain, a plurality of connected one-piece links, each link having a carrier plate on top, an extension extending downwardly and forwardly from the forward half of said plate and having an aperture therethrough with a vertical axis, and a hook beneath the rear portion of said plate curving downwardly and forwardly toward the extension and having a horizontally disposed arcuate bearing surface to engage and pivot about a vertical axis in a corresponding apertured extension in the adjoining link in the chain, said extension and hook being so shaped that the extension is pivotable about a horizontal axis within the hook.' I

6. In a conveyer chain, a plurality'of connected one-piece links, each link having a carrier plate on. top, an extension extending downwardly and forwardly from the forward half of said plate and having an aperture therethrough with a vertical axis, and a hook beneath the rear portion of said plate curving downwardly and forwardly toward the extension and having a horizontally disposed arcuate 5 bearing surface to engage and pivot about a vertical axis in a corresponding apertured extension in the adjoining link in the chain, said links each including a rearwardiy facing shoulder portion on its underside for engagement 10 with a driving spocket.

In a conveyer chain, a plurality of connected one-piece links, each link having a carrier plate onrtop, an extension extending downwardly and forwardly from the forward half 15 of said plate and having an aperture there- -through with a vertical axis, and a hook bebearing surface to engage and pivot about a vertical axis in a corresponding apertured ex- I tension in the adjoining link in the chain, said 'extensions forming laterally facing shoulders for engaging a horizontally disposed pulley 35 about which the conveyer chain may turn.

HARRY K. BURGESS. PAUL F. DUBER. 

